Capra Bank President Andres Garcia recently announced the assembly of a local Advisory Board of Directors that includes business and civic leaders, bankers and native New Mexicans.
“I am incredibly proud of the impact our Capra Bank team has been able to have on our community in the past seven months. Our board members have played an instrumental role in that success,” Garcia said. “Bringing together these community leaders and industry experts is, without a doubt, a proud and meaningful moment. With this group of elite community and business leaders flying the Capra flag, we will create exciting momentum as we continue to build our presence in New Mexico.”
The Advisory Board will provide strategic advice, current knowledge of market conditions, critical thinking and access to varied business networks to maximize Capra Bank’s impact in New Mexico.
Capra Bank’s local Advisory Board of Directors is comprised of the following individuals:
- Sam Baca — senior vice president and co-owner at AUI Inc.
- Tom Briones — attorney and CEO at Briones Business Law Consulting
- Adam Ciepiela, AIF, CSSA, CRC — partner at Charles Stephen
- Cole Flanagan, CPA — CEO at Flanagan Investment Real Estate
- Rudy Guzman — president at Guzman Construction
- Shauna Kastle — president and CEO at Goodwill Industries of New Mexico
- Mike Mechenbier — CEO at 4 Daughters Land & Cattle, Sundance Mechanical; co-founder at El Ranchito De Los Niños
- Kellie Mixon — CEO at New Mexico Mutual
- Rebecca Sanford — CEO at Adelante Development Center
- Rick Wadley — retired president of Bank of America New Mexico, KIIT Board of Directors, KIIT Renewable Energy BOD and Akal Security BOD
“With the continued engagement and leadership from our board, the sky is the limit for Capra Bank in New Mexico. We look forward to continuing to deliver banking without compromise for our clients, shareholders and our dynamic community,” Garcia said.
Baca says he joined the board to champion the New Mexico construction community and because the bank pursues endeavors that align with his priorities, like investing locally.
“The banking industry is continuously changing with mergers, technology, regulatory changes and economic uncertainty. Through the uncertainty and continuous changes, community banks like Capra are extremely important to the support, stability and success of New Mexicans and New Mexico Businesses,” board member Sam Baca, senior vice president and co-owner at AUI Inc., said. “Capra Bank focuses on relationship-based banking, local decision-making power and loyalty — three particularly important values that my company looks for in a banking relationship. It is New Mexico money that is reinvested into the community.”
“Serving on the Capra Advisory Board offers me a platform to be a voice for the New Mexico construction community. Our industry plays a vital role by creating jobs, improving infrastructure and contributing to economic growth and development,” Baca added.
Shauna Kastle, also a board member and community leader in her role as president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of New Mexico, said she joined the Advisory Board because Capra Bank has insights and specialized knowledge of the local market, unlike banks that aren’t locally run.
“I’m proud to serve on Capra Bank’s Advisory Board because I believe a locally run community bank is essential to New Mexico’s nonprofit and entrepreneurial ecosystem,” Kastle said. “Their deep understanding of our market allows them to provide the kind of tailored financial solutions and trusted partnerships that help organizations and businesses not just survive but truly thrive.”
